Greetings fellow readers and writers, I am Osetto, or "Os" for short. I've also been known as RoninJD, J.D., or even just John. I am also the same Osetto that likes to hang around fanfiction.net and occasionally used to write about Star Wars.

You can also find me on DeviantArt ( sovwriting.deviantart.com ) where I post my multi-chaptered stories as downloadable PDFs, and potentially lesser stories unfit for Tales or whatever other collections/one-shots I might post here. I also have a character creation demo for a potential interactive story/Twine game there, by the name of Sovereign: Journey.

If you're interested, here's some background on my writings here:

The Sovereign series is named after the eponymous ‘Sovereign Order’ a group of mystics that hold dear the tenets of strength, individuality, and supremacy (as well as the fairly rigid adherence to a dark aesthetic, if for no other reason than to spite their Templar rivals). The ruling class of the Imperial Dominion, these beings of might and magic have maintained their dominance domestically and abroad since their inception, a remarkable feat considering their constant in-fighting and self-destructive practices. It is only by merit of a godlike Emperor, an utterly dedicated nation of mundane peoples, and the occasional noble soul that the Sovereign Order has managed to not only survive, but thrive for hundreds of years. But despite the series bearing their name, this group is not always the focus of stories. Instead, it is the ‘Sovereign Ideal’ that drives these works. Individuals working in concert. Men and women striving for something more. Beings mystic and mundane seeking to not only understand this world, but their place in it. In practically every offering from me, you will find the concepts of worth and identity explored through character-centric stories.

As of right now, the Sovereign ‘verse is divided into two eras: The Imperial Era and the Bestial Era.

The Imperial Era is a period defined by both war and progress, emulating the real world’s early twentieth-century. As a Great War envelops the entirety of Ardonia, both the northern Dominion and the southern Federation are forced to adapt to the rapid modernization of the continent. Whilst magic has allowed mystics on both sides to remain dominant, the rest of society continues to advance, the likes of firearms, automobiles, and radio are proving to bridge the gap between the mundane and any wielder of the arcane. It is an age of challenging tradition, often in the face of supreme resistance. Sovereign: Ascension, the very first entry in the Sovereign canon, takes place at the tail-end of the Great War, and follows a group of outsiders seeking a place within an exclusive and xenophobic Order. Sovereign: Dominion, its follow-up, takes place after the war’s end and takes an in-depth look at what happens when a culture that thrives on conflict no longer has its primary source.

The Bestial Era is a period defined by mystical creatures and untested magics, emulating a more traditional medieval fantasy setting. By the time of the Imperial Era, magic has been studied and proliferated to the point that it has lost almost all of its mystique. But hundreds of years in the past, before the Sovereign Order had even splintered from its Templar roots, it is a time of rampant experimentation. With humanity having stepped out from the shadow of beasts, some thought to go one step further, binding the destructive forces of nature, if not creating their own. But as war is waged across southern Ardonia over the sanctity of these magics, the Freelands of Gheran find themselves embroiled in a different kind of conflict. There, the beast population remains strong, prompting the rise of mercenary groups and adventurers to defend the country from this ever-present threat. Sovereign: Beasts follows one particular company as it deals with beasts, men, and perhaps something in between.

With that, I hope you enjoy. And as always, feedback is welcomed and appreciated across all my works.

Sovereign: Ascension

Expanded Summary: In the Sovereign Order, mystics are brought to Arcane Academies to study the ways of magic as a means for power and supremacy, pain and hardship weeding out the weak from the strong. In a typical Academy, those deemed 'unworthy' would be simply killed and tossed aside, rather than potentially allowed to sully the 'good' name of the Sovereign Order. But in one such institution, things are not as they seem. On an isolated Haskaran island, in the northwestern reaches of the Imperial Dominion, almost 100 students were brought to train in the ways of the Sovereign. But in their eight years of study, almost none faced death or exile, and not a single new student was brought in to bolster their ranks. Divided into specialized classes of 'warriors' and 'casters', these acolytes followed the words of their instructors without question, constantly told they weren't yet 'ready' to leave the Academy. Following the arrival of a mysterious Sovereign Lord in search of an apprentice, however, things are thrown in flux. As eight acolytes train under this new master, more and more is revealed about the true nature of the Academy they once called home. Facing a series of challenges and trials unlike anything they've ever experienced, these eight mystics find themselves on the path of a true Sovereign. The path of ascension.

Part I - The Academy: Complete

Part II - An Island of Beasts: Complete

Part III - Broken Bonds: Complete

Part IV - Lights and Shadows: Complete

Part V - Progeny: Complete

Notes: This is a rewrite of an old fanwork, which happens to be the first multi-chaptered story I've managed to see all the way through to completion across my years of writing. Already featuring a cast of 100% original characters, I wanted to take a lot of the ideas and themes of that story and rework them for a fantasy universe built from the ground up to house a multitude of connected and independent story ideas. Because of its origins in fanfiction, and my distaste the 'filing-off-the-serial-numbers' approach to converting fan works to original works, I am taking extra care to ensure the story can stand on its own, and would appreciate any feedback regarding such in addition to more typical critique. I want this to be a genuine story set in a genuine world, and if there's room for improvement anywhere, I welcome any and all thoughts.

Sovereign: Dominion

Expanded Summary: Following its victory in the Great War, the Dominion readies itself for the future. But with peace, mystic warriors that had only the conflict to derive purpose from now find themselves lost. Luckily, a new organization known as the 'Executors' seeks to capitalize on this influx of available talent, utilizing wayward Sovereigns to ensure the empire thrives in the new era. One particular group of misfits, a trio personally chosen by the group's creator, is tasked with operating inside and outside the Dominion's borders, eliminating emergent threats and doing whatever is necessary to preserve the unsteady peace between Ardonia's two great powers. Unfortunately, not all are content with the end of the Great War. Tempers flare amongst Sovereigns and Templars alike, and the continent stands on the cusp of open conflict once more.

Part I - Steel and Cloth: Complete

Part II - Fire and Frost: In Progress

Notes: Another rewrite, albeit one of a project that was never finished. Despite being a sequel to Sovereign: Ascension, it features only certain characters from its predecessor, instead focusing on a new batch of main characters. Much like S:A, this story focuses on people and their interactions. 'Identity' continues to be a running theme, examining not only a person's sense of belonging, but their sense of self in this world of magic.

Sovereign: Beasts

Expanded Summary: In an age when magical beasts run rampant, the Freelands of Gheran rely on the services of mercenaries for protection. But as the line between savior and scoundrel becomes increasingly blurred, one young upstart comes in search of adventure. Guided by letters from her father, she has all the knowledge necessary to succeed on her journey, but lacks the first-hand experience to truly leave her mark on the world. Joining a band of floundering misfits, the prospect hopes to use a revitalized Ardent Company as the first stepping stone to secure her legacy, exchanging her peculiarly strong know-how for a place amongst their ranks. Thus, with the aid of a scarred veteran, a tribal huntress, a deadly markswoman, a young Wizard, and even the 'Dragon of Tolwynn', this adventurer eagerly rushes toward a new life of fame, fortune, and even family.

Part I - Under the Wing: In Progress

Notes: A story that takes place in the 'Bestial Era', many centuries prior to the 'Imperial Era' of such stories as Ascension and Dominion. As such, it takes place in a much more traditionally 'medieval' fantasy setting. Despite taking place in a time prior to the 'Sovereign Order' even existing, the story still embodies many of the same themes presented in future tales, and might even shed light on some of the characters and events that shaped the world as it is centuries later.

Sovereign: Tales

Expanded Summary: A collection of one-shots and short stories set in a world of mystic warriors and their dogmatic orders. Of magical beasts and those who dare to hunt them. Of mundane ingenuity amidst societies defined by the arcane. Of an absentee pantheon and those would seek to take their place. Of ordinary peoples forced to contend with the extraordinary, time and time again.

Into the Gray: The story of two sides at war. A Sovereign and a Templar meet in the forests of Parathis, and have no choice but to battle.

Tribunal: The story of an Imperial Officer under investigation for the murder of a Sovereign, an act he fully admits to committing.

Reach: The story of a battle-scarred mystic approached by an enigmatic prosthetist. Lost and without purpose, a double-amputee's life changes when a fellow Sovereign promises to give her new arms.

Artifice: The story of a mundane engineer completely out of his depth. Assigned to service the automatons aboard the Dominion's clandestine Project Leviathan, he soon finds himself by the side of an artificial being unlike any other.

Following its victory in the Great War, the Dominion readies itself for the future. But with peace, mystic warriors whose only purpose was to wage war now find themselves lost. Luckily, a new group known as the 'Executors' seeks to make use of these wayward Sovereigns, repurposing their talents to ensure the empire thrives in the new era. [PART I: STEEL AND CLOTH - Complete]

The tale of a dying world and faded glory. Enhanced beings known as 'prodigies'-once practically divine amongst the common people-now serve as mercenaries for the corporations and syndicates that hold true power. Operating under an enigmatic broker, two siblings offer their services as SBT Pilots, born with the rare ability to neurally interface with the brand of walking mechs.

In an age when magical beasts run rampant, the Freelands of Gheran rely on the services of mercenaries for protection. But as the line between savior and scoundrel becomes increasingly blurred, one young upstart comes in search of adventure. Joining a band of floundering misfits, the prospect uses a revitalized Ardent Company as the first stepping stone to secure her legacy.

A collection of one-shots and short stories set in a world of mystic warriors and their dogmatic orders. Of magical beasts and those who dare to hunt them. Of mundane ingenuity amidst societies defined by the arcane. Of an absentee pantheon and those would seek to take their place. Of ordinary peoples forced to contend with the extraordinary, time and time again.

In the Sovereign Order, mystics study the ways of magic as a means for power and supremacy, pain and hardship weeding out the weak from the strong. But in one arcane institution, things are not as they seem. Following the arrival of a new master, eight acolytes slowly learn the truth as they find themselves on the path to ascension. [Story Complete]